Maple Toffee Bars

The maple flavoring in these soft shortbread bars gives a buttery toffee taste without a lot of work. These have been a family favorite for three generations.

Original recipe makes 30 bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

PREP

15 mins
COOK

15 mins
READY IN

1 hr 30 mins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Beat butter and vegetable shortening with brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and maple extract until smooth; stir in flour and salt. Lightly press the dough into a 10×15-inch baking dish.
Bake until the crust is set and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Remove crust from oven and spread melted chocolate in a layer on top. Sprinkle with walnuts. Cut bars while still warm; let chocolate set, about 1 hour, before serving.